Threats to Close Remote Aboriginal Communities

Aboriginal Australians are part of the oldest living culture in the world, and homelands an irreplaceable part of that culture. Studies show that better health outcomes are the direct result of residence in these homelands.

In November 2014, Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett announced that 150 remote Aboriginal communities would be closed by the Government, and in May 2016, Mr Barnett said again that he would like to see fewer of these communities. Then, in their final year, the Barnett government introduced the Regional Services Reform, identifying higher performing communities for funding. This will potentially leave the most vulnerable communities underfunded or closed altogether.

According to the Reform, residents from lower performing communities may have to relocate temporarily to access health services, education, and employment – or relocate permanently should their communities be closed altogether.

Despite all this, Australia has endorsed the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which states that Indigeous people have the right to belong to their own communities, and be supported in doing so. This means that residents of remote communities have the right to Government cooperation and funding.